Servomex purpose-built facility enables GC
and Plasma technology to be further developed

Servomex, the world leader in gas analysis, moved production of its range of GC and Plasma analysers from Canada to its Technical Centre in the UK during the first half of 2010. This purpose-built facility, opened in November 2008, enables the GC and Plasma technology to be further developed and enhanced through a range of advanced manufacturing processes, including a state-of-the-art clean room facility.

Customers have benefited from improved sales and support processes, including efficient turnaround for orders and service requirements. An expanded scope of expertise and advice is available from Servomex's technical team, whose knowledge base is boosted by all the key members of the Plasma technology technical team within the Technical Centre.

Pictures show: Staff at work in the state-of-the-art clean room at Servomex's Technical Centre in Crowborough (top),  and Servomex's service team at work in the Technical Centre (below).

The relocation of Servomex's GC and Plasma analyser technology production to the Technical Centre has also enabled Servomex to focus on new research, development and support for this technology.

Servomex delivers a combination of world-leading gas analysis technologies, enabling its customers to select the most effective solution for their application.

Servomex's GC and Plasma analyser technologies were acquired as part of the purchase of Contrôle Analytique in September 2007. The range currently includes the SERVOPRO FID for measurement of total hydrocarbons in air, nitrogen, oxygen and argon, the SERVOPRO Plasma (k2001) for the ppm to ppb measurement of nitrogen in argon or helium and the SERVOPRO Chroma (k4000) for trace impurity measurements in a variety of gases. Key applications for the Chroma include air separation, process optimisation and quality control.

For further information about Servomex's range of analysers, contact the Servomex sales team at the European Business Centre (+31 (0) 79 330 1581 / 00800 737866390 toll free for France, Holland, Germany, Belgium and the UK), Americas Business Center (+1 281 295 5800) or Asia Pacific Business Centre (+86 (0)21 6489 7570).

Servomex Americas launch the SERVOTOUGH
Laser Gas monitor range in the United States of America

Servomex's SERVOTOUGH Laser series, a range of high performance process gas analysers designed for the in-situ measurement of a wide range of gases present in extreme or harsh process conditions, has been launched in the US.

Available as both cross-stack (in-situ) or extractive configurations, the SERVOTOUGH Laser range features extensively field proven Tuneable Diode Laser (TDL) technology, robustly packaged to cope with the most aggressive environments.

SERVOTOUGH Laser series.

The SERVOTOUGH Laser uses TDL technology to deliver a fast response time, highly stable performance and minimum sample conditioning requirements with no moving parts and consumables. It is available to detect a wide range of gases including O2, HCl, HF, NH3, CO, CO2, H2O, H2S, HCN, NO, N2O, CH4 and other hydrocarbons, the Laser series is effective for a wide range of emissions control and process and combustion control applications.

The Laser range consists of three modules: A Standard monitor designed for cross stack applications; a Compact variant suitable for extractive and in-situ use across smaller diameter (< 30 in) path length applications; and a MultiPass version designed for extractive trace analysis applications. All versions have been granted Class1 Div2 CSA approvals.

The launch of the SERVOTOUGH Laser range is the culmination of a strategic technology agreement between Servomex and Norsk Elektro Optikk (NEO). The agreement enables Servomex to develop and manufacture TDL analyzer products, based on NEO core technology. The SERVOTOUGH Laser will be supplied globally by Servomex and will form an integral part of its highly respected range of process gas analysers and engineered system solutions.

Servomex will maintain support for all current NEO LaserGas2 requirements including quotations and field trials, and maintain a supply of NEO-manufactured spares and field service for the existing US install base of NEO LaserGas I and LaserGas II products.

"The wide range of benefits of the SERVOTOUGH Laser range gives customers a measurable advantage for their applications and processes," says Chuck Hurley, General Manager, Servomex Americas.

"Our knowledge and experience in TDLS process applications, combined with our gas analysis expertise and extensive service and support capabilities, makes us the pre-eminent supplier of TDLS technologies to the US market." For further information, view website: www.combustion-expert.com

Servomex Flowcube technology sets new benchmark in flow sensor measurement

Servomex delivers a benchmark improvement to gas flow measurement and safety with Flowcube, a sensor technology which integrates into its acclaimed analyser range.

Developed by Servomex to address the current limitations in gas flow measurement, Flowcube is an advanced sensor which for the first time enables multiple system diagnostics and data trending to be ascertained from the flow measurement. While gas flow has traditionally been measured separately within a sample system, compromises with this technique has meant plant operators have to rely on basic "flow or no flow" status information which can only shut down a process when a potential error is detected. Flowcube is the innovative and cost-effective solution to this industry problem: a sophisticated and highly sensitive transducer design, placed in-situ of a Servomex analyser, which enables both accurate trending of the overall sample system and the implementation of preventive rather than reactionary maintenance for minimum disruption to processes.

Servomex deliveres a benchmark improvement to gas flow measurement and safety with Flowcube, a sensor technology which integrates into its acclaimed analyser range.

These highly accurate measurements mean the basic "flow or no flow" status information is now superseded by a sophisticated two-stage alarm capability that introduces a 'maintenance required' trigger stage alongside the standard critical fault signal. Not only does this allow sample system issues to be dealt with before they cause intermittent, slower or inaccurate measurements, but it offers operators new flexibility in diagnosing problems early, scheduling maintenance and avoiding unnecessary, unexpected and costly downtime. In addition, Flowcube's ability to deliver accurate measurements means trending data is reported via an instrument's digital communications, enabling users to monitor sample system performance over time to reduce the risk of system failure.

Unlike thermal conductivity technologies and rotameters, which can be greatly affected by thermal conductivity changes in the sample gas and density and viscosity changes respectively, Flowcube technology measures the bulk cooling characteristic of the gas. The result is a stable measurement that does not respond predominately to one physical gas characteristic and is more immune to changes in the sample gas mixture. Positioned at the outlet of the measurement cell to guarantee a representative sample is present at all times, the Flowcube sensor ensures maximum measurement certainty and optimum safety to enable users to set user-defined alarm levels with confidence.

Flowcube technology therefore enables operators to implement a preventative rather than reactive agenda for analyser flow control, avoiding costly plant downtime by allowing the scheduling of routine safety checks and sample system maintenance - a particularly useful function where operations are being run with minimum personnel on-site. With no consumable parts, an almost indefinite field service life and no special gases or setup required, Flowcube delivers low cost-of-ownership with just a simple calibration procedure required at a minimum of twelve months. Flowcube is certified intrinsically safe (EEx ia) for use in hazardous areas and with continually flammable gases, and it forms part of the SERVOTOUGH Oxy SIL 2 assessment for use in Safety Integrated Systems.

"Flowcube is a prime example of how Servomex applies our technical and analytical expertise to solving real customer issues," says Chris Cottrell, Managing Director, Servomex.

"Not only does it address a fundamental customer problem with the previously inflexible flow measurement techniques offered by our industry, but the improved alarm system and system trending measurements offer new and immediate benefits to customer operations."

Flowcube is avaliable as an option for the SERVOPRO MultiExact multigas analyser and award-winning SERVOTOUGH Oxy oxygen analyser, with compatibility for other Servomex analysers to follow.

For further information about Flowcube technology and Servomex's extensive range of gas analysis products and solutions, contact the European Business Centre (+31 (0) 79 330 1581 / 00800 737866390 Toll free in France, Holland, Germany, Belgium and the UK) Americas Business Center (+1 281 295 5800) or Asia Pacific Business Centre (+86 (0)21 6489 7570). 

For further information view website: www.servomex.com   Refer to page 260